[Miescha]

Originally Posted by jabxyz

Dan,
Thanks. Good point. I think that I checked correctly on the FCC website:FCC: Wireless Services: Amateur Radio Service: About Amateur: Reciprocal Arrangements
I'm in El Salvador for at least the next year for work. It looks like we do have a reciprocal operational relationship with them although I'm not sure what that would mean exactly for testing and licensing since the license would be issued by a foreign government.

It means that you would take the foreign (El Salvador) test and get a foreign (El Salvador) license that you could use there for the next year. Then when you return to the U.S. (or any other country with a reciprocal agreement) your foreign license will be recognized here and you do not need to get a local license.

I looked into this in the reverse. I'm licensed here in the U.S. by the FCC, but I travel to Canada and New Zealand and Australia and have plans to travel to Brazil. The U.S. has a reciprocal agreement with those countries so my license is recognized there and I'm allowed to transmit there using only my U.S. license (I don't need to test and obtain their license). This is a good thing b/c the U.S. license is easier from a testing standpoint.

Of course, there are limitations that must be followed including the local band plan, so make sure you read up on those limitations before traveling. Both qrz.com and eham.net have info on the various reciprocity agreements and differences/limitations.

I hope this helps.